KAYEF Posted October 14, 2007 #1 Share Posted October 14, 2007 :) :) I've not seen this mentioned (yet) but we just disembarked from Zaandam in San Diego and took advantage of the "new" luggage service. We turned in our air information, the ship contacted the airline who apparently e-mailed back our boarding passes and the long, bar-coded strips that go on your suitcase handles. We affixed the strips, put our luggage outside our door and never saw it again until we got home to Portland. YES! It was on our flights and arrived with us! All we had to do was walk off, give our cards to Customs and climb into a shuttle for the airport ($5.).............there were cabs all over the place as well. This service was $15. We did not have to check in at the airport.............just went through Security and straight to the gate. THANK YOU HAL for beginning this service (if you do it in all ports!!).;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakemurraykid Posted October 14, 2007 #2 Share Posted October 14, 2007 We used this service this past May on the Noordam and it was wonderful. It is definitely worth the $15 pp so you don't have to worry about your luggage. We will use it again for sure. Anyone who has any doubts should put their doubts to rest because it works! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted October 14, 2007 #3 Share Posted October 14, 2007 Sounds like a great service!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhannah Posted October 14, 2007 #4 Share Posted October 14, 2007 That would really be wonderful! Hope to try it soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charliesmom Posted October 14, 2007 #5 Share Posted October 14, 2007 Did you have to book your air through HAL? Do you know if it is available in Fort Lauderdale? Roberta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CroozeAddict Posted October 14, 2007 #6 Share Posted October 14, 2007 Did you have to book your air through HAL? Do you know if it is available in Fort Lauderdale? Roberta No ... you do not have to book your air through HAL. and Yes ... it is available at Fort Lauderdale. When you get on board, just ask your steward for the paperwork. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charliesmom Posted October 14, 2007 #7 Share Posted October 14, 2007 Thanks for the fast answers. One other question - is it $15.00 per bag or $15.00 per person, or $15.00 per stateroom? Roberta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gsel Posted October 14, 2007 #8 Share Posted October 14, 2007 It is $15 per person. The BEST thing HAL has done in years!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare boards Posted October 14, 2007 #9 Share Posted October 14, 2007 I wonder if they will this service or if it is available on international cruises. For example London, UK to Detroit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruising-along Posted October 14, 2007 #10 Share Posted October 14, 2007 We used this service last month in San Diego -- it was great! I think I heard that it isn't available yet for international flights -- does anyone know for sure? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bepsf Posted October 14, 2007 #11 Share Posted October 14, 2007 I'm looking forward to checking this out after my Volendam cruise. I've already applied directly w/ the airline for my upgrade on the return trip, so we'll see how it goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ON cruiser Posted October 14, 2007 #12 Share Posted October 14, 2007 As a Canadian soon to be on the Zaandam, I would definitely use this service if it is available for flights to Canada. Does anyone have experience, yet, with this? Is it offered for all airlines, including Air Canada, or so far only for domestic US carriers, and only in domestic US? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlorenceItaly Posted October 14, 2007 #13 Share Posted October 14, 2007 In San Diego, is it for ALL airlines, do you know? Thanks. Marie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bepsf Posted October 14, 2007 #14 Share Posted October 14, 2007 All the info is right here: http://www.hollandamerica.com/guests/category.do?category=arrival&topic=signatureExpress Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtl513 Posted October 14, 2007 #15 Share Posted October 14, 2007 Do you know if it is available in Fort Lauderdale?It is available in FLL for just 9 ships so far. Click Brian's link for the list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlorenceItaly Posted October 14, 2007 #16 Share Posted October 14, 2007 This is awesome. Thanks so much for the link. Marie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puli Posted October 14, 2007 #17 Share Posted October 14, 2007 :) :) I've not seen this mentioned (yet) but we just disembarked from Zaandam in San Diego and took advantage of the "new" luggage service. We turned in our air information, the ship contacted the airline who apparently e-mailed back our boarding passes and the long, bar-coded strips that go on your suitcase handles.We affixed the strips, put our luggage outside our door and never saw it again until we got home to Portland. YES! It was on our flights and arrived with us! All we had to do was walk off, give our cards to Customs and climb into a shuttle for the airport ($5.).............there were cabs all over the place as well. This service was $15. We did not have to check in at the airport.............just went through Security and straight to the gate. THANK YOU HAL for beginning this service (if you do it in all ports!!).;) did they mention any San Diego departure time restrictions? We will be taking the Sea of Cortez cruise in April round trip from Medford Oregon via SFO. I was told by HAL that my 10:30 AM departure from SAN on United would qualify. I thing earlier on some board I read that all flights must be after ONE PM. Perhaps since the SAN airport is so very close they have relaxed the time restrictions there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare boards Posted October 14, 2007 #18 Share Posted October 14, 2007 Thanks bepsf that pretty well explains it. I hope that international cruises are in the future plans of HAL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAYEF Posted October 15, 2007 Author #19 Share Posted October 15, 2007 Re: out of the country, the answer is NO. Our tablemates were from Canada and couldn't use this service; it said it had to be domestic air service only. It was certainly wonderful. Fifteen dollars per person............saved LOTS of hassle (and tips as well.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DFD1 Posted October 15, 2007 #20 Share Posted October 15, 2007 This excellent new service leads me to comment that HAL is seems to be really trying to improve many areas of its onboard guest services. On this same cruise, luggage was delivered more promptly, PA announcements were kept to a minimum, there were staff members dispensing hand sanitizer at every turn... anywhere near any food or gangway, self-disembarkation running smoothly, better merchandise in the shops, just lots of small things that makes one glad to be on board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAYEF Posted October 15, 2007 Author #21 Share Posted October 15, 2007 puli I did a post and it just VANISHED so I shall try again and hope it doesn't double post. There were no flight time restrictions that I can remember but when I'm in Cruise Heaven I don't concentrate on much! We were in the airport before 8:45 a.m. and our flight wasn't until 2:00 p.m. so they didn't have any problem getting OUR luggage there on time! People always complain, but even if this IS another way for them to make money (which is what they need to do), it is a GREAT SERVICE and we are thankful that HAL thought of it.............doubt it was the airline's idea.:p But, you never know. No dock hassle, no having to find a person to haul it out to the bus or cab.............no worry that it won't fit into a cab...........just walk off and that's IT.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puli Posted October 15, 2007 #22 Share Posted October 15, 2007 KAYEF, Thanks for the reply. So all you had to do was take your one piece of carryon luggage off the ship. No mess, no hassle, no fuss. Sounds great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSPCUBS Posted October 15, 2007 #23 Share Posted October 15, 2007 My flight home from Ft. Lauderdale isn't until 5:30 pm. Does anyone know if they will do this service for flights that leave that late in the day? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAYEF Posted October 15, 2007 Author #24 Share Posted October 15, 2007 Well, we didn't leave until 2:00..............I don't remember any time restrictions mentioned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sailandcruise Posted October 15, 2007 #25 Share Posted October 15, 2007 :) :) I've not seen this mentioned (yet) .;) This service has been the subject of another thread: see http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=631976 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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